System and Method for Customizing Headwear

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a combination of a unisex hat and a booklet to produce a unique piece of headwear that can fit a specific style, outfit, statement, passion, occasion, brand, or voice. The unisex hat is comprised of a single color, basic felt, a rounded crown with no indentations, a two-inch brim, an internal sizing band, and two openings on the side. The openings accommodate an exterior rawhide band that loops around to create a chinstrap securing the hat to the head with a bead. The booklet provides a variety of material instructions for technical applications/manipulations, appliques, and/or suggestions for thematic research to help personalize and customize the hat. The outer surface of the hat can be customized by drawing, painting, stenciling, sewing, cutting, embroidering, felting, and appliqueing. The accompanied booklet can be a physical booklet or a digital booklet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/320,350, which was filed on Mar. 16, 2022 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of adaptable hats and headwear. More specifically, the present invention relates to a unisex hat with numerous customizable options along with an accompanying booklet that provides a variety of material instructions for technical applications and suggestions for thematic research to help personalize, craft, and customize hats and headwear. The hat can be customized using drawings, paintings, stenciling, sewing, cutting, embroidering, felting; and, further customized using methods for attaching feathers, beads, charms, ornaments, holiday-related items, talismans, and much more. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

By way of background, a hat is a headwear which is worn for various reasons, including ceremonial reasons such as graduations, events, celebrations, religious services; as well as, safety and/or sun protection, or as a fashion accessory. Hats come in various sizes and designs and are worn by individuals of all ages and genders. Individuals like to wear hats that match with their outfits, style, and occasion, and more. However, conventional hats are not customizable and even those that can be customized, are difficult to customize and have limited options. Therefore, there is a growing need and desire for customized hats and headwear that can represent individuals as unique individuals and reflect the event at hand.

Current customizations in the hat/headwear apparel are prefabricated and represent standard customizations which individuals cannot personalize to create their creative expression. Further, heretofore known customizations are predesigned, expensive, are only limited to attaching accessories and therefore, individuals who like printed, painted, and more designs look for other ways to have personalized hats.

Individuals who like to customize hats lack guidance and suggestions for customization and may end up going to boutiques and more for expensive customization. Therefore, individuals desire a means for suggesting different customization ideas and methods for creating personalized hats.

Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a customizable hat system that encourages customization and personalization of headwear. There is also a long felt need in the art for a system that guides individuals for customizing their hats. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a system that encourages creative modifications and personal visual statements on headwear. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a hat that can be customized using an individualized approach to produce a unique piece of headwear. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a hat having wearable substrate surfaces that can be applied with different design considerations for personal application choices. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for headwear customization system that can be used by individuals themselves without going to expensive boutiques. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a system that utilizes an individualized approach to produce a unique piece of headwear that can fit a specific style, outfit, occasion, statement, passion, brand, or voice.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a customizable unisex hat system. The system utilizes an individualized approach to produce a unique piece of headwear and further comprising a single-color hat made of felt material, the hat having an upstanding crown, a brim and a pair of diametrically opposing openings positioned on the intersection of the crown and the brim; a rawhide cord covering a portion of a crown and looping through said openings; a chin strap formed of two loose ends of the cord tied using a bead; wherein the outer surface of said crown and the brim is configured to attach a plurality of decorative items, such as, feathers, beads, charms, ornaments, holiday-related items, talismans, and more for customizing the hat to a specific style or occasion; and a booklet including a plurality of suggestions and two dimensional (i.e., appliques) and three dimensional objects for material applications and thematic diversions to the base design of the hat.

In this manner, the hat and booklet system of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with a unisex hat with numerous customizable options. An accompanying booklet provides a variety of material instructions for technical applications and suggestions for thematic research and appliques to help personalize and customize the hat. The outer surface of the hat has infinite customizable possibilities to produce a unique piece of headwear that can fit a specific style, outfit, statement, passion, brand, or voice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a customizable unisex hat system. The system further comprising a single-color hat made of soft felt material, the hat having an upstanding crown, a brim and a pair of diametrically opposing openings positioned on the intersection of the crown and the brim; a rawhide cord covering a portion of crown and looping through said openings; a chin strap formed of two loose ends of the cord tied using a bead; wherein the outer surface of said crown and the brim is configured to attach a plurality of decorative items, such as, feathers, beads, charms, ornaments, cut-outs, holiday-related items, talismans, and more for customizing the hat to a specific style; and a booklet including a plurality of pages wherein each page includes suggestions, appliques, and technical methods for material applications and/or thematic diversions to the base design of the hat.

In yet another embodiment, the booklet is an e-book accessible on an electronic device.

In yet another embodiment, the crown does not have indentations.

In yet another embodiment, the hat is made of a single solid color.

In yet another embodiment, a unisex hat configured to customize to a specific style, outfit, statement, passion, brand, or voice is disclosed. The hat is made of a felt material that is configured to be easily embroidered, painted, and designed for customizing the hat, wherein one or more of surface pigments and fibers, hand crafted metals, felt balls, charms, ornaments, and holiday-oriented accessories are removably attached or painted to the hat. The hat includes an interchangeable rawhide cord with a chinstrap and bead to comfortably secure the hat to the head for immediate wearability and protection.

In yet another embodiment, the hat functions like a conventional hat for protecting from sunrays and other weather elements.

In yet another embodiment, a method of customizing exterior surface of a hat is described. The method includes the steps of providing a hat, the hat having a rounded crown with no indentations, a brim (i.e., extending from about one inch to about six inches from the crown), an internal sizing band, and two diametrically opposing openings on side of the crown, the openings are configured to accommodate an exterior versatile, adjustable, and removable rawhide band that loops to create a chinstrap securing the hat to the head with a bead; opening a booklet, wherein the booklet includes suggestions, appliques, and technical methods for material applications and thematic diversions to the base design of the hat; selecting a suggestion/technique and/or applique (i.e., 2-D cut out) from said booklet; and applying one or more of surface pigments and fibers, hand crafted metals, felt balls, cut-outs, and charms, ornaments, holiday-oriented accessories, and more to replicate said selected suggestion.

Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those who seek opportunities for personal expression or are skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a customizable unisex hat system of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates an underside view of the unisex hat of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the accompanying booklet of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear perspective view of a customized hat which is customized as per a suggestion from the booklet in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing a plurality of manipulated hats customized using a plurality of accessories in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a user wearing the customized hat in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram depicting a process of using digital booklet for receiving instructions for customizing the hat in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description and manipulation thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there is a long felt need in the art for a customizable hat system or substrate (i.e. surface material) that encourages and enables customization of headwear. There is also a long felt need in the art for a system that guides individuals for customizing their hats. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a system that encourages creative modifications and personal visual statements on headwear. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a hat that can be customized using an individualized approach to produce a unique piece of headwear. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a hat that can be applied with different design considerations for personal application choices. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for headwear customization system that can be used by individuals themselves without going to expensive boutiques. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a system that utilizes an individualized approach to produce a unique piece of headwear that can fit a specific style, outfit, occasion, statement, passion, brand, or voice.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a method of customizing exterior surface of a hat. The method includes the steps of providing a hat, the hat having a rounded crown with no indentations, a brim (i.e. 1 to 6 inches), an internal sizing band, and two diametrically opposing openings on side of the crown, the openings are configured to accommodate an exterior versatile, adjustable, and removable rawhide band that loops to create a chinstrap securing the hat to the head with a bead; opening a booklet, wherein the booklet includes suggestions, appliques, and technical instructions/methods for material applications and thematic diversions to the base design of the hat; selecting a suggestion and/or application technique from said booklet; and applying one or more of surface pigments and fibers, hand crafted metals, felt balls and charms, cut-outs, appliques, ornaments, holiday-oriented accessories, and more to replicate said selected suggestion.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a customizable unisex hat system of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The customizable unisex hat system 100 of the present invention is designed to provide a unique headwear 102 that can be customized to a specific style. Further, the hat system 100 provides an accompanying booklet 104 that includes suggestions and 2D cut-outs/appliques for customizing the headwear 102 and the booklet 104 can be referred to by a user for creating creative modifications on the headwear.

More specifically, the headwear 102 is in the form of a unisex hat having a rounded upstanding crown 106 and a brim 108. The crown 106 is circular and does not have any indentations unlike conventional hats. The crown 106 has an outer surface 1060 and an inner surface 1062 (shown in FIG. 2 ). In one exemplary embodiment, a binding 110 is positioned along a trailing periphery of the brim 108, however, the binding may not be present in some embodiments of the present invention.

The hat 102 has a pair of diametrically opposing holes 112, 114 for accommodating an exterior versatile, adjustable, and removable rawhide band 116 that loops around a portion of the crown 106 such that the two free ends of the rawhide band 116 are accessible from the holes 112, 114 for creating a chin strap 118 of an appropriate size. The chin strap 118 is used for securing the hat 102 to the head of a wearer using a bead or fastener 120. The bead or fastener 120 can move along the chin strap 118 to adjust the size of the chin strap 118.

The hat 102 is preferably of a single and solid color and is made of soft felt material with limited stiffening agents. The hat 102 may come in different sizes and colors and the rawhide band 116 can be replaced with a new band of a different color as per preferences of a wearer of the hat 102. The hat 102 is breathable, lightweight, and comfortable for all-day wear and can be easily cleaned with a horsehair brush or soft shoeshine brush, a slightly damp cloth, a lint roller, and/or a dry-cleaning sponge for stains.

The booklet 104 in the preferred embodiment is a physical booklet, but alternatively can be a digital booklet in the form of an e-book and includes a variety of material instructions for technical applications and suggestions for thematic research to help personalize and customize the hat 102. The outer surface 1060 of the crown 106 and upper brim area 1080 of the brim 108 can be customized based on the instructions and/or 2D cut-outs/appliques provided in the booklet 104 to fit a specific style, outfit, statement, passion, brand, or voice. The customization and personalization can be done using any of drawing, painting, stenciling, sewing, cutting, embroidering, felting, and more. Further, any type of accessories including, but not limited to, feathers, beads, charms, 2D cut-outs/appliques, ornaments, holiday-related items, talismans, and more can be used for customizing the hat 102. The booklet 104 includes designs, customizations, and/or 2D cut-outs/appliques that can be applied to the base design of the hat 102 both on the crown 106 and the brim 108.

FIG. 2 illustrates an underside view of the unisex hat 102 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The hat 102 of the present invention has an internal sizing band 202 configured to fit the hat 102 on different sized heads. Further, the sizing band 202 can be made of an elastic sizing band for adjustment to different sized heads. The inner surface 1062 of the crown can have a foam layer such as open-celled foam.

The chin strap 118 is released from the openings 112, 114 and is accessible below the brim 108 for securing the hat 102 on the head of a wearer. The bead or fastener 120 can be pulled up to reduce the size of the chin strap 118 and pulled down to increase its size.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the accompanying booklet 104 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The accompanying booklet 104 can be in either physical form or alternatively can be in digital form accessible through a computer implemented application or a website. The booklet 104 includes a plurality of pages 302 a-n and each individual page includes a different method/technique 304 that can be created on the hat 102. The pages 302 a-n can include selectively removable cut-outs 307 and appliques 309 for applying, mounting, or adhering same to the hat 102. Further, a description or name 306 of the design is also included on the corresponding page such that a user can select a specific design, cut-outs 307, and/or appliques 309 for a specific occasion, style, brand, and more.

In some embodiments, materials, cut-outs, and textured appliques, used for customizing the hat to the preferred design and occasion, are also included in the booklet 104. The booklet 104 includes a plurality of design considerations, materials, methods, and techniques, such as, drawings, paintings, stenciling, sewing, cutting, embroidering, felting, cut-outs, appliques, and more, on both the crown and the brim. The booklet 104 enables a person to utilize an individualized approach to produce a unique piece of headwear that can fit a specific style, outfit, statement, passion, brand, occasion, or voice.

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear perspective view of a customized hat which is customized as per a suggestion from the booklet 104 in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In the present embodiment, a plurality of flowers 402 (either natural or artificial or a combination of both) are removably attached to the outer surface 1060 of the crown 106. The outer surface 1060 is configured to receive fastening elements like clips, pins, or more for removably attaching accessories like flowers 402, cut-outs 307, and/or appliques 309. It should be appreciated that any number of accessories of different types can be permanently or removably attached to the hat 102 for customizing as per a specific style, outfit, occasion, and more.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing a plurality of manipulated hats customized using a plurality of accessories in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The hat 502 has a customized indicia or text 504 sewn or removably attached to the outer surface 1060. Accessories 506, cut-outs 507, and appliques 509 can be attached to the hat 502 for providing a customized look to the hat 502.

The exemplary hat 508 has a design 510 painted or embroidered on the upper brim area 1080 and can be in any color and design. A plurality of designs, charms and more 512 are removably or permanently attached to the outer surface 1060 of the crown 106 for providing a complete customized look to the hat. Cut-outs 507 and appliques 509 can also be applied or adhered to the hat 508.

It should be noted that there are endless and infinite options for customizing the hat of the present invention using the accessories and methods described herein. This enables a user the option to use a single hat on different occasions by customizing the hat and therefore, saves money and time to buy different hats.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a user wearing the customized hat 502 in accordance with the disclosed architecture. A user 600 can wear the hat 502 and secure using the chin strap 118 and the bead or fastener 120. The customized design of the hat 502 including the logo 504 and the accessories, cut-outs, and/or appliques 506 can be designed as permanent or can be selectively interchanged with any other design.

Based on size of the head of the user 600, the internal sizing band can be adjusted to fit the hat 502 and additionally, the chin strap 118 can be adjusted to secure the hat.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram depicting a process of using a physical booklet for receiving instructions and/or appliques for customizing the hat in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As illustrated, initially, the hat image (having the basic design as illustrated in FIG. 1 ) is reviewed in the booklet (Step 702). Then, from a plurality of displayed occasion options, an occasion is selected along with associated appliques from the booklet (Step 704). Based on the selected occasion, a plurality of custom designs and/or appliques can be applied on the hat (Step 706). The applied designs can be displayed on the hat (Step 708). Thereafter, selecting another occasion and associated appliques for another customization selection from the displayed designs in the booklet (Step 710).

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “customizable unisex hat system”, “hat system”, “unisex hat system”, and “system” are interchangeable and refer to the customizable unisex hat system 100 of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the customizable unisex hat system 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the customizable unisex hat system 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the customizable unisex hat system 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the customizable unisex hat system 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the customizable unisex hat system 100 be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A headwear hat system comprising: a hat having a crown and a brim comprising a customizable exterior surface; a booklet having a plurality of selections for customizing said exterior surface; wherein said plurality of selections including a plurality of pages; and further wherein each page of said plurality of pages includes materials selected from a group consisting of instructions for customizing said hat, appliques for material application to said hat, and thematic modifications to a base design of said hat.
 2. The headwear hat system of claim 1, wherein said appliques comprise two dimensional cut-outs.
 3. The headwear hat system of claim 2, wherein said crown is circular having a pair of diametrically opposing holes including an adjustable band extending therethrough.
 4. The headwear hat system of claim 3, wherein said adjustable band having a movable fastener for forming an adjustable chin strap loop to secure said hat to a head of a wearer.
 5. The headwear hat system of claim 4, wherein said hat includes a material of breathable felt.
 6. The headwear hat system of claim 5, wherein said adjustable band includes a material of rawhide.
 7. The headwear hat system of claim 1, wherein said booklet is a digital booklet.
 8. The headwear hat system of claim 7, wherein said instructions are selected from a group consisting of a drawing, a painting, a stenciling, a sewing, a cutting, an embroidering, and a felting.
 9. The headwear hat system of claim 8, wherein said thematic modifications are selected from a group consisting of a feather, a bead, a charm, an ornament, and a talisman.
 10. The headwear hat system of claim 5, wherein said hat having an internal sizing band comprising an elastic sizer.
 11. The headwear hat system of claim 10, wherein said thematic modifications are three dimensional objects.
 12. The headwear hat system of claim 11, wherein said appliques and said thematic modifications are removably attached to said hat.
 13. A headwear hat system comprising: a hat having a crown and a brim comprising a customizable exterior surface; a booklet having a plurality of selections for customizing said exterior surface; wherein said plurality of selections including a plurality of pages; wherein each page of said plurality of pages includes materials selected from a group consisting of instructions for customizing said hat, appliques for material application to said hat, and thematic modifications to a base design of said hat; wherein said instructions are selected from a group consisting of a drawing, a painting, a stenciling, a sewing, a cutting, an embroidering, and a felting; wherein said thematic modifications are selected from a group consisting of a feather, a bead, a charm, an ornament, and a talisman; and further wherein said appliques and said thematic modifications are removably attached to said hat.
 14. The headwear hat system of claim 13, wherein said appliques comprise two dimensional cut-outs.
 15. The headwear hat system of claim 13, wherein said crown is circular having a pair of diametrically opposing holes including an adjustable band extending therethrough.
 16. The headwear hat system of claim 15, wherein said adjustable band having a movable fastener for forming an adjustable chin strap loop to secure said hat to a head of a wearer.
 17. The headwear hat system of claim 13, wherein said hat includes a material of breathable felt.
 18. The headwear hat system of claim 16, wherein said adjustable band includes a material of rawhide.
 19. The headwear hat system of claim 13, wherein said thematic modifications comprise three dimensional objects.
 20. A headwear hat system comprising: a hat having a crown and a brim comprising a customizable exterior surface; a booklet having a plurality of selections for customizing said exterior surface; wherein said plurality of selections including a plurality of pages; wherein each page of said plurality of pages includes materials having instructions for customizing said hat, appliques for material application to said hat, and thematic modifications to a base design of said hat; wherein said instructions are selected from a group consisting of a drawing, a painting, a stenciling, a sewing, a cutting, an embroidering, and a felting; wherein said thematic modifications are selected from a group consisting of a feather, a bead, a charm, an ornament, and a talisman; and further wherein said appliques and said thematic modifications are removably attached to said hat. 